FILE--Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23) soars past a helpless Toronto Raptors guard Alvin Robertson (7) on his way to the hoop during first quarter NBA action in Toronto Sunday afternoon, March 24, 1996. Jordan made his comeback official Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001 announcing he will return to play in the NBA and sign a two-year contract with the Washington Wizards. ``I am returning as a player to the game I love,'' said Jordan, 38 and more than three years removed from what seemed to be a storybook ending to his career. FRANK GUNN, AP

Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant, right, slips around the defense of San Antonio Spurs Bruce Bowen during the first quarter of the season opener Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2002, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. KEVORK DJANSEZIAN, AP

Portland Trail Blazers' Scottie Pippen, left, defends as Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant drives to the basket in the second quarter of the opener of their best-of-five first-round Western Conference playoff series in Los Angeles, Sunday, April 21, 2002. MARK J. TERRILL, AP

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) works his way around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Oklahoma City, Friday, Dec. 29, 2017. The Bucks defeated the Thunder 97-95. J Pat Carter, AP

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo passes as he drives to the basket in front of New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins (0) in the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. Gerald Herbert, AP

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GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Kristaps Porzingis' time in a New York Knicks uniform is over.

Shortly after Porzingis met with the team's front office Thursday to express his concerns about the team's future, the Knicks traded Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr. and the expiring contracts of DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews, as well as two future first-round picks.

The Knicks also sent Trey Burke, Courtney Lee and Tim Hardaway Jr. in the trade, a significant move that will allow them to free up salary cap space in July.

Team president Steve Mills said in a conference call Thursday night that "over time, it became clear that Kristaps was not completely on board with the plan we laid out."

"He is a great player," Mills said. "But this morning, in a meeting, he confirmed that he no longer wanted to be a Knick."

General manager Scott Perry said the Knicks, who are 10-40, had already been having discussions with teams around the league about potential trades and acted on this one.

"We thought this one was the best for our organization moving forward," Perry said.

By trading Lee and Hardaway's contracts, the Knicks put themselves in position to offer two max deals.

New York will always have a special place in my heart.Grateful for everybody who made this journey so special for my family and I. pic.twitter.com/q923ul3Wk4

This summer's free agent class will likely include Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker and perhaps Kyrie Irving if he chooses not to re-sign with the Boston Celtics despite his preseason commitment to remain with the team.

The importance of the Knicks succeeding in free agency increased exponentially with Thursday's trade.

"We get back an exciting young player in the deal," Perry said. "We get back two future draft picks and then the fact that we do have some financial flexibility. I think if you study teams over the course of building like we’re doing, financial flexibility is an important part of that so that you can be opportunistic as you move forward."

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after scoring against the Brooklyn Nets during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, in New York.(Photo11: Julie Jacobson, AP)

Whether or not the Knicks sign Irving, they could potentially have a point guard for their future in Smith.

The Mavs drafted Smith with the ninth overall pick in 2017, one spot after Frank Ntilikina. While Ntilikina had an up-and-down rookie season, Smith was a part of the Rookie of the Year conversation, leaving many fans to lament the Knicks' draft decision.

Smith has fallen off somewhat this season, averaging 12.9 points and 4.3 assists this season while shooting 44 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from the perimeter. He has struggled defensively, especially.

With this trade, the future of the Knicks underwent a monumental shift.

The Knicks had considered Porzingis, who's recovering from ACL surgery, a part of their future. They hoped that by surrounding him with young talent, like Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson, as well as this year's lottery pick and a potential free agent signing this summer, they could achieve success in the future.

New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis sits on the bench during the second quarter of the team's preseason NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, in New York.(Photo11: Noah K. Murray, AP)

But Porzingis is no longer a part of that process.

The Knicks drafted him with the fourth overall pick in 2015. Porzingis averaged 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game over two-and-a-half seasons, including an all-star selection last year.

Porzingis' relationship with the Knicks was often rocky, which escalated when he skipped his exit meeting with former team president Phil Jackson following the 2016-17 season.

That relationship ended Thursday.

"We just increasingly got the feeling that there was a lot of uncertainly on his part," Perry said.